Raiders romp past Hornets

Savannah Christian 36, Savannah Country Day 7

But in the opening half on Friday night at Savannah Country Day's Saunders Field, high school football dramatically transcended everyday life.

Red-clad Savannah Christian didn't stop pounding the Hornets until its running game scored every point of a 36-7 non-region win. The Red Raiders amassed 303 of their 357 total yards on the ground in the half.

In contrast, no one wearing a green uniform moved anywhere but down to the turf.

Country Day struggled throughout the contest. The Hornets only notched 84 yards in the opening 24 minutes, and 44 came on Matt Miller's first-quarter scamper. Junior quarterback Joey Boaen struggled through a 2-of-11 effort in the half, and 6 of 19 overall for 79 yards, a week after throwing for 201 yards in a win over Southeast Bulloch.

"They're a great football team, and they fought us hard the whole game," SCPS coach Jack Miller said. "But things went our way. Our backs and offensive line worked well together. We really ran the ball well."

The Red Raiders' onslaught began early, as they drove 60 yards in 2 minutes to take a 7-0 lead on Andrew Ienuso's 8-yard touchdown run. Chance Darley's 14-yard scoring run and Ienuso's two-point conversion run with 1:11 left in the first quarter capped an impressive 12-play, 86-yard march.

Darley headlined the first-half ground assault with 120 yards and one touchdown on just nine carries. He also caught a 21-yard scoring pass from Ienuso 16 seconds before halftime. Corey Fidler contributed 94 yards on eight carries. Garret Harvey (50 yards) and Ienuso (39 yards) also shredded the Hornets' defense.

"We talked about coming out here and running the ball hard because we have faith in (our running game)," Ienuso said. "We have four backs that can run the football. That's good insurance for me."

Added Miller, "This is the first time we've had this many backs. With guys like that and the offensive line blocking well, that's going to be good for us."

Until that point, the offense's impressive showing overshadowed the defense's solid play. But Harrison Huxford changed that. He stepped in front of a Country Day receiver and picked off Boaen's pass before racing untouched 45 yards for the score and a 22-0 advantage.

SCPS' offense then capped Country Day's nightmarish first half with two scores in the final 2 minutes, 2 seconds. Ienuso's 15-yard run and touchdown pass to Darley gave the Red Raiders an insurmountable 36-0 lead.

"That was a dagger through their heart," Ienuso said. "We wanted to take away all hope they had of coming back.

"It's a great way to start the season, a great way to get the season going."

Sports reporter Victor Fernandes can be reached at 652-0349 and e-mailed at victorf@savannahnow.com.